An interjection is a word added to a sentence to convey emotion. It is not grammatically related to any other part of the sentence.
An interjection is often followed by an exclamation mark, sometimes by a question mark or comma. Interjections are uncommon in formal writing, except in direct quotations.
The highlighted words in the following sentences are interjections:
- Ouch, that hurt!
- Hey! Put that down!
- Good grief, my taxes are too high!
- I heard one guy say to another, "He has a new car, eh?"
- Oh no, I forgot that the report was due today.
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© Department of English, Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa
A tool made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada
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